Investigation of selected biochemical parameters in sheep naturally infected with theileriosis

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of sheep theileriosis on some plasma biochemical parameters. Thirty adult fat-tailed sheep suffering from theileriosis were selected on the basis of clinical examination and positive peripheral blood smears, and 20 clinically healthy animals without parasitaemia (according to the blood smears) served as control. Biochemical analysis of infected cases revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose and albumin, in addition to a non-significant decrease in total protein and creatinine concentrations when compared to the uninfected group. On the other hand, a significant increase of urea, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, in addition to a non-significant rise in triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase levels were found in the infected group in comparison to the controls. This study concluded that theileriosis in sheep was associated with some alterations in blood parameters which could be useful in the diagnosis of ovine theileriosis.